Albion Coach Appointed Offensive Coordinator of Team Scotland

Albion College head lacrosse coach Shanta Loecker has been appointed offensive coordinator of the Scotland National Team as the squad prepares for the Home Internationals competition in March 2014.

Dave Simpson, head coach of Scotland's National Team, hails from the United States, and his two coordinators (Ginger Miles, the head coach at the University of California-Berkley, has been tabbed as the defensive coordinator) are also U.S. based.

"I'm incredibly pleased that these smart, competitive lacrosse coaches have agreed to devise and execute our game plan in the years to come," Simpson said in a statement released by Team Scotland. "I think their knowledge and innovation are going to make Scotland women's lacrosse exciting to watch for years to come."

Scotland jumped to sixth in the world ranking after a successful run in Federation of International Lacrosse World Cup competition in Canada this summer. After hard-fought victories against heavily-favored Japan and Israel, many considered Scotland to be the surprise team of the tournament.

Originally from Evanston, Ill., Loecker engineered a remarkable turnaround in the Albion women's lacrosse program in her first year at the helm. Loecker guided the Britons to a five-win season and a berth in the first-ever Michigan Intercollegiate Athletic Association Tournament. Ashley Glenn, a midfielder, finished 11th among Division III players in goals per game, and Kadie Koolwick easily was the league's statistical leader in draw controls.

Prior to her arrival at Albion, Loecker was head coach of the club team at the University of California Los Angeles where she led the team to the Women's Collegiate Lacrosse Associates Division I national championship game and was twice named coach of the year. As a player at UCLA, Loecker was named first team all-league at the attack position.

"I've been able to observe Shanta up close as a coach for many years and there aren't many coaches who are better at getting the best out of her players," Simpson said. "Her players love her and they play for her. Add to that her knowledge and passion for the game you couldn't ask for a better offensive coordinator to help the Scotland team strive toward a new level of competitiveness."

Loecker added, "I am very grateful for the opportunity to join Coach Simpson and Coach Miles in this endeavor. Team Scotland is an extremely athletic group, and I can't wait to start working with both the coaching staff and the team in preparation for international competition. They had a very impressive year at the World Cup over the summer, and I hope to contribute to their continuing improvement at that level."